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The Chewelah Farmers Market was recently voted as one of 20 leading farmers markets across the nation vying for the title of America’s Favorite Farmers Market in the small market category. In this year’s contest more than 90,000 farmers market shoppers voted for more than 1,700 participating farmers markets in American Farmland Trust’s third annual contest.

The Chewelah Farmers Market received 210 votes from supportive shoppers in the contest.

According to the recent release of the updated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s farmers market directory, the number of farmers markets across the nation increased by 17 percent between 2010 and 2011. Support for farmers markets helps to provide income opportunities for farmers. The rising interest for local food from nearby farms highlights the value of protecting farmland to meet demand.

The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is a part of American Farmland Trust’s No Farms No Food® campaign, which raises awareness of the dangers of farmland loss by making connections to food. Farms near metropolitan areas produce 91 percent of the nation’s market value of fruit, 78 percent of vegetables, and 67 percent of dairy products.

The Chewelah Farmers Market is held Fridays in the Chewelah City Park from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can learn more about the market by visiting www.chewelahfarmersmarket.com or by calling the market phone at 509-936-4353.

To view the top 20 leader-boards or to vote in the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest, visit www.farmland.org/vote.